The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1887-06-25
The Home Press-Its Thirtteth
Anniversary.

NE bCllttCltlC anu tHIth S4ic Ihc III
If, therefore, 0 wish to have
honest press, you ought honestly sup
port it.-Archbishop McHale.
A newspaper can drop the same thought
into "a thousand minds at the same moment.
A newspaper is an adviser. who does not
to be sought, but to you
without distracting your private affairs.
therefore, become more neo-
essary in proportion as men become more
equal individuals, and more 70 be feared
by tyrants. DE Tocqueville.
Some persons have very strange
ideas regarding their local paper.
is more common than to
hear people talk of what they pay
for advertising, ETC.. as so much
given to charity. Newspapers, by
enhancing the value of the property
in the neighborhood and giving the
locality in which they are published
a reputation abroad, benefit all such,
particularly if they are merchants
or real estate owners, thrice the
amount yearly of the ineagre sum
they pay for their support. Besides,
every public spirited citizen has a
laudable pride in having a paper Of
which he is not ashamed, even
though he should pick it up in
Washington, Boston OR New York,
OR New Orleans.
A good-looking, thriving sheet
helps property, gives a character to
locality, and is in many respects a
desirable public convenience. If
from any cause the matter in the
local or editorial columns should not
be up to your standard, do not put
it aside and pronounce it good for
nothing, until satisfied there has
been no more labor bestowed upenit
than has been paid Cor. If you want
a good readable sheet it must not be
supported q a spirit Of charity either,
but because you feel a necessity to
support it. The local press is the
power that moves the people.
Intelligent persons singing out 10.
.calities for new homes or places Of
business are governed principally
by the appearance Of the newspaper
published in the town or villaga-to
which they may wish to locate;
hence, q we'll sustained journal can.
not fail to present a healthy and
inviting appearance to all such.
Your parish paper acts as q
sentinel, always on guard and pre-.
pared for duty, to see that nothing
worthy Of note passes its observa.
ton and the same made known to
the public. It always has a kind
word for everyone; always ready,
and willing to praise the worthy
and just as quick to condemn and
censure those who merit and des erve
rebuke. Therefore, the patronage
bestowed upon your parish paper
sho uld not be considered or even
regarded as charity, or that much
money wasted; on the contrary, the
little that is contributed towards
it's support should be recognized as
SO much means wisely and jndicious'
y invested.
In sustaining your local paper, do
not have it said, particularly away
from home, that it is done through
charity sake, for this is . painful
reflection to be east upon it's editor
who spares neither pains nor meanl
to please its patrons. The labor
bestowed on = paper, both mental
and physical, are much more arduous
than is generally supposed; rather
then, say it deserves more patronage
and be sure you give it-thar
it actually receives, and by this
means instead Of pulling down you
elevate your home press, not only
in your own estimation, but also